Hearing device



July 2, 1940.

E. CHRISTE HEARING DEVICE Filed Oct. 18, 1939 gwwm MzzzrE 671M529Patented July 2, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE 6 Claims.

This invention relates to a hearing device designed primarily as ahearing aid for deaf persons who have lost their ear drums, but it is toto be understood, that a device, in accordance with this invention isfor use in any connection for which it may be found applicable.

The invention aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, adevice of the class referred to for attachment to the ear to facilitatehearing.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter setforth, a device of the class referred to for attachment to and forcorrelation with the interior of the ear to constitute a hearing aid.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter setforth, a device of the class referred to for correlation with the earbone from the interior of the ear as to relay vibrations in the samemanner as the sensory ear nerve would in a normal persons ear therebyacting as a hearing aid.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter setforth, a device of the class referred to which is simple in itsstructure and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, readily installedin the ear, thoroughly efiicient in its use and comparativelyinexpensive to manufacture.

Embodying the aims aforesaid and others which may hereinafter appear,the invention consists of the novel construction, combination andarrangement of parts as will be more specifically referred to andillustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein is shown embodiments ofthe invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations andmodifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of theinvention as claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is an elevation, looking towardsone side of a hearing device inaccordance with this invention,

Figure 2 is a view thereof in lengthwise section,

Figure 3 is a top plan view,

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 of a modified form of hearingdevice in accordance with this invention,

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 2 of the modified form, and

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 3 of the said modified form.

With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the hearing device shown therebyis generally indicated at 7, and it includes an annulus 8 havingintegral with the inner end portion of its inner periphery or face aninwardly directed flange 9 having its side 9 of greater width than itsside 9 The body of the flange 9 gradually increases in width in oppositedirections from the transverse median of its side9 to the transversemedian of itsside 9 The transverse medians of the sides 9 9 of flange 9align with the horizontal diametric center of the annulus 8. The free orinner edge ID of the flange 9 forms a circular opening H which isdisposed eccentrically with respect to the axis of annulus 8.

Formed integral with the inner marginal portion of the outer face offlange 9 and having its inner face flush with the edge or wall I! of theopening i0 is a cylinder l2 or tube disposed at an outward inclinationthroughout with respect to the flange 9 and which has its axis disposedeccentrically with respect to the axis of annulus 8. The outer portionof the cylinder l2 at one side thereof extends laterally with respect tothe corresponding side of the annulus 8. The outer or free end terminalof the cylinder 12 is inturned and rounded to form an inwardly extendingflat annular flange, as at 13. The cylinder I2 is open at each end. Theflange 9 not only constitutes a coupling between annulus 8 and cylinder12, but also provides a seat M for a circular mica diaphragm [5 which ismounted in and corresponds in diameter to the inner diameter of theannulus 8. The inner face of the latter in proximity to the flange 9 isformed with an endless groove 16 of semi-circular cross section. Whenthe diaphragm I5 is arranged on seat l4 it is positioned inwardly of thegroove IS. The diaphragm I5 is secured in the annulus 8 and against seatIt by a split resilient ring I! which engages in the groove l6 and bearsagainst the marginal portion of the outer face of diaphragm l5.

Extending from the diaphragm l5 at a point of the latter in alignmentwith the axis of the cylinder H, as well as extending lengthwise andprojecting from the free end of said cylinder is a horse hair la. Thelatter extends through the diaphragm l5 and is secured to the latter, asat 19. The non-secured end of the horse hair l8 has attached thereto asmall body of wax as indicated at 20.

The annulus, flange and cylinder is a one-piece body and the latter maybe formed of gold or hard rubber. The material from which said body isformed preferably will be thin. It is to be understood that thediaphragm 15 may be secured to the flange and annulus by other meansthan that as shown. Preferably the annulus 8 Will be of five-eighths ofan inch in outer diameter and inner diameter slightly less than itsouter diameter. Preferably the cylinder will be of seveneighths of aninch in length, of an outer diameter of three-eighths of an inch and.with its inner diameter slightly less than its outer diameter. Thediameter of the lower portion of the edge or wall I! of the opening illwill correspond to the inner diameter of the cylinder l2. Preferably thelength of the horse hair 18 will be one inch. It is to be understoodthat the dimensions of the elements referred to may be as desired. Ifdesired the edge ll of opening l may be rounded. When the device isinserted into the ear, the body of wax 28 is brought into contact withthe tympanic membrane, or used in place thereof When said membrane isdestroyed. By means of the horse hair, in connection with the body ofWax the sound vibrations from the diaphragm is: are communicated to thetympanum or to the conducting apparatus of the organs of hearing.

With reference to Figures 4:, and 6, they illustrate a modified form ofhearing device generally indicated at 2 i, and it includes a cylinder ortube 22 open at each end, having one of its end edges slightly inturnedand rounded, as at 23, its other end edge squared, as at 25 and itsouter periphery bordering said squared edge 23 formed with threads, asat 25. The device 2! includes a mica diaphragm 26 in the form of a discseated on said edge 2 and corresponding in diameter to the outerdiameter of cylinder 22. Passing through the diaphragm 26, axially ofthe latter is a horse hair 2? of a length to project from that end ofthe cylinder 22 formed with the edge 23. One end of the horse hair 2? issecured to the diaphragm 26, as at 28 and its other end has attachedthereto a small body of wax as indicated at 29.

The diaphragm 26 is secured to the cylinder 22 by an inwardly extendingflanged interiorly threaded collar 3E] which coacts With the threads Thedimensions of the cylinder 22 and length of the horse hair 27 willcorrespond to that of the cylinder l2 and horse hair M respectively. Thecylinder 22 and collar 39 may be formed from gold or hard rubber.

The device 2! functions in the same manner as the device l.

The horse hair It or 2'! constitutes a transmit- ,ter for the vibrationsof a diaphragm to the wax body and which in turn are applied to thenerve or bone of the ear by the body of wax. The horse hair alsoprovides a holder for the Wax body, the latter is termed a protectingmember, as it is employed to protect the bone or nerve of the ear fromthe sharp end of the horse hair. The suspension is of sufiicientrigidity to maintain itself permanently clear or free of contact withthe cylinder or tube through which it extends, but at the same time iscapable of flexing to the desired extent so as not to interfere with itsconduction of the sound vibrations from the diaphragm to the ear. Theannulus 8 and cylinder i2 protect the diaphragm l5 and horsehair 58 fromany interference or from anything which may touch diaphragm E5 or horsehair-before a sound wave makes contact to bone or nerve. The cylinder 22and the cap 30 also act to protect the diaphragm 26 and horse hair 2'!for the same purpose as the annulus 8 and cylinder l2 with respect tothe diaphragm l5 and horse hair l8.

The form indicated at 1 includes a diaphragm l 5 of a size for longerand louder range than the form indicated at 2| and under such conditionsthe cylinder I2 is disposed ofiset and at an indirection with respect toannulus 8 and the diaphragm I5 to provide for a proper fitting of thedevice when it is inserted in the ear. The cylinder l2 enters the ear atan angle.

The form indicated at 2| is to be of a size smaller than the form I, tobe more invisible than the latter when it is inserted into: the ear. Theform 2! will includes a diaphragm 26 of less diameter than the diaphragml5 whereby it will have less distance range of sound than the de- Vice'7.

The transmitter formed by the horse hair is of such flexibility that itcauses the wax to touch the bone or nerve of the ear lightly and withvery little pressure and further it possesses a characteristic to carrythe sound clearly.

The opening 10 in the form 1 is disposed eccentrically with respect tothe annulus for the reason that the cylinder l2 may be disposed at thedesired inclination with respect to the annulus, such as shown byFigures 1 and 2 to obtain proper fitting of the annulus 8 and thecylinder [2 to the interior of the ear When a form for longer and louderrange is used, such as disclosed by form I.

What I claim is:

1. A hearing device comprising a rigid cylinder, a diaphragm connectedwith the cylinder at the outer end of the latter, and a'transmitterincluding a straight bristle and a body of wax carried by the innerterminus of the bristle for contact with the inner ear, the outerterminus of said bristle being fixedly secured directly to saiddiaphragm and aligned with the axis of said cylinder, said transmittercapable of being flexed. extending lengthwise of, permanently free ofcontact with and projecting from the inner end or" the cylinder andproviding for transmitting sound vibrations to the inner ear from saiddiaphragm.

2. In a hearing device, a mica diaphragm, a transmitter consisting of astraight horse hair and a body of wax for contact with the inner ear,said horse hair being fixedly secured at its outer terminus to saiddiaphragm, said body of wax fixedly secured to the inner terminus ofsaid horse hair, and a rigid tubular carrier for the diaphragm, saidcarrier being disposed about and of less length than said transmitter,and said transmitter being permanently free of contact with the carrier,extended from the latter and providing for transmitting sound vibrationsto the inner ear from the diaphragm.

3. In a hearing device, a rigid annulus formed at one end with aninwardly extending right angular disposed endless flange having its bodygradually increasing in width in opposite directions from the transversemedian of one side to the transverse median of the opposite side thereofthereby providing a circular opening having its axis disposedeccentrically with respect to the axis of the annulus, a rigid cylinderdisposed at an inclination with respect to the axis of said annulus,said cylinder having its axis aligned with the axis of said opening,integral at one end with said flange and having its inner face alignedwith the edge of said opening, a diaphragm secured within the annulusand extending across said opening, and a straight transmitter forcontact with the inner ear connected at one end to said diaphragm at apoint in alignment with the axis of said opening and cylinder, saidtransmitter disposed lengthwise of. projecting from the other end of andbeing permanently free of contact with the cylinder, said transmitterpossessing a degree of rigidity to permanently maintain it free ofcontact with said cylinder and a degree of flexibility to relay soundvibrations from the diaphragm to the inner ear.

4. The invention as set forth by claim 3 having said diaphragm formed ofa mica disc and said transmitter formed of a straight horse hair havingthat end thereof opposite its end attached to the diaphragm providedwith a body of wax.

5. In a hearing device, a rigid cylinder open at each end, a diaphragmmounted against and extending across one end of the cylinder, aninwardly flanged collar connected with said cylinder at the said one endof the latter and having its flange bearing against the diaphragm forsecuring it to said cylinder, and a straight transmitter having one ofits ends secured to the diaphragm axially of the latter and the other ofits ends for contact with the inner ear, said transmitter disposedlengthwise of, projecting from the other end of and being permanentlyfree of contact with the cylinder, said transmitter possessing a degreeof rigidity topermanently maintain it free of contact with said cylinderand a degree of flexibility to relay sound vibrations from the diaphragmto the inner ear.

6. The invention as. set forth by claim 5 having said diaphragm formedof a mica disc and the said transmitter formed of a straight horse hairconnected at one end to said diaphragm and a body of wax on its otherend.

WALTER E. CHRISTE.

